Kelsey Jordan (aka Gardener Kelsey), our illustrator, videographer, and overall creative collaborator, has been a constant support throughout our journey. She's been cheering us on from the sidelines and behind the camera since the very beginning, and has been there for us for every single on of our entrepreneurial encounters. Her patience never wears thin (even during hours of filming hello gardeners®) and her hard work has helped turn our dreams into a reality. Gardener Kelsey, thank you for supporting us, sharing your talent with us, dreaming with us, creating with us, and growing with us. You truly are a master gardener...(literally and physically)! Are you ready...it's grow time! All our love & gratitude, Gardener Shanna, Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan P.S. -Wacth some of Gardener Kelsey's videos on YouTube...click here!

Growing Strong: You Are a Gardener Turns 6 It all started six years ago when our family planted a tiny seed - You Are a Gardener®. As a grassroots and self-funded organization, we have since blossomed into a platform dedicated to empowering children, families, and educators alike. Our mission is to empower gardeners of all ages with a vocabulary, mindset, and tools rooted in gardening concepts, to help build a resilient generation of future gardeners. We are grateful for every accomplishment and especially for connecting with over 10,000 students over the last 6 years. Thank you to all our gardener friends and family for supporting us on our journey. We look forward to much continued growth! At the root of it all, You Are a Gardener® was written for and inspired by Gardener Anna and Gardener Aidan when they were 7 and 5 years old. It was created as a tool for our family to find healthy ways to manage stress, while staying rooted in joy and gratitude. If you have met these two, you know. They are the true definition of gardeners; open, honest, kind, communicative, confident, resilient, inclusive, grateful, and so much more. By using our gardening vocabulary and tools, our family was able to keep the lines of communication open daily, manage big emotions in a healthy way, and develop positive strategies to grow through challenging situations. Anna and Aidan's eagerness, hard work, and enthusiasm played a major role in the triumph of our company and are still growing strong today. Photos from 2017 during the concept to creation process of You Are a Gardener® Growing Strong: You Are a Gardener Turns 6

What Is Mindfulness : The Benefits of Being Mindful for Gardeners Emotional Well-Being : Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, without focusing on past or future thoughts. It's about acknowledging our emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations while being aware of our surroundings. A helpful and easy way to practice mindfulness is to pause and engage our senses. It helps to draw our attention to the present moment and bring awareness to our current surroundings. Introducing a mindfulness activity sheet can be useful both at home and in school for kids of all ages. Mindfulness activities have been proven to be an effective tool for promoting emotional and mental wellbeing in children. Incorporating mindfulness activity sheets into a child's routine can be a simple and effective way to plant seeds for daily practices. Today we are sharing a helpful 'What Is Mindfulness' SEL Activity Sheet to use at home or in school for gardeners of all ages. Scroll down for your free printable and scroll all the way down to collect your Gardening Tool badge for this activity! << CLICK THE ACTIVITY SHEET ABOVE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY SHEET TO USE AT HOME OR SCHOOL! >> Whether it's at home or in school, giving kids the tools to manage their thoughts and feelings can set them up for success both academically and in other areas of their lives. Here are some reasons why introducing mindfulness activities can be useful both at home and in school for kids of all ages: Reduces stress and anxiety: Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing and meditation, help kids to be more present in the moment and to focus on their thoughts and feelings. This can help gardeners to feel more calm and less anxious (weeds to seeds)! Improves concentration: Mindfulness activities require children to focus their attention on the present moment and to tune out distractions. This can help to improve their concentration and focus, which can be beneficial both academically and in other areas of their lives. Enhances social and emotional skills: Mindfulness practices can help children to develop self-awareness, empathy, and compassion. This can improve their ability to communicate and connect with others (pull your weeds), which can be especially valuable in school and in social situations. Promotes better sleep: Mindfulness practices can help children to relax and to release tension, which can lead to better sleep at night. This can help them to feel more rested and refreshed in the morning, which can improve their overall mood and energy levels. Develops resilience: Mindfulness practices can help children to develop resilience and to cope better with challenges and setbacks (weeds). This can improve their ability to bounce back from difficult situations and to persevere in the face of adversity (weeds to seeds). Practicing mindfulness can significantly improve a gardeners emotional health and well-being at any age. When we are mindful, we become better equipped to manage our emotions, rather than our thoughts trying to take control. This can help us to respond to situations in a more considered and thoughtful manner, rather than reacting impulsively. Mindfulness can also help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, as it encourages a greater sense of calm and self-awareness. Practicing mindfulness can lead to more positive relationships, as it helps gardeners to be more present and attentive when interacting with others. Incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines can have a profound impact on our emotional well-being and quality of life. Hey gardeners, did you do our What is Mindfulness Activity Sheet? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'What Is mindfulness 'Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! What Is Mindfulness: Discover the power of mindfulness for children's emotional well-being. Learn how to practice mindfulness and download a free activity sheet. Start today! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Our children's book "You Are a Gardener®" teaches a timeless message of cultivating a mindset that enables people of all ages to identify and express their emotions. It encourages the use of healthy 'gardening tools' to grow with confidence and resilience, while communicating feelings with trusted sources to help find that positive path forward. By encouraging readers to tend to their emotional gardens with care and attention, our book offers a powerful message of hope and self-empowerment. Whether read alone or shared with friends and family, "You Are a Gardener®" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to cultivate a healthier, happier life. Discover the power of cultivating a positive mindset that enables people of all ages to identify and express emotions with our children's book "You Are a Gardener®". Our book is written in a friendly, gentle style, making it easy for readers of all ages to understand and apply its lessons. With colorful illustrations (watercolor on paper) and relatable examples, "You Are a Gardener®" teaches valuable life skills that can help children and adults alike navigate their emotions and relationships. Discover the timeless message of self-empowerment and emotional growth in "You Are a Gardener®", a captivating children's book with a powerful impact. You Are a Gardener®: A Children's Book with an Ageless & Timeless Message

Maintaining an open line of communication with children is extremely beneficial for their social and emotional development. Getting kids to share what they experience during the day, either good or bad helps them to 'grow' through what they go through with a positive outlook. It helps gardeners develop communication skills, encourages self-reflection, builds stronger relationships, improves problem-solving skills, and reduces stress and anxiety. Scroll down for some helpful Tips Unpack Your Day & To Get Gardeners (of all ages) To Open Up & Talk About Their Day and to download the 'Gardening Tool Badge for this exercise. As a parent ,caregiver or guardian, it can be challenging to get children to open up about their day. However, there are several techniques that you can try to encourage kids to share their experiences with you. Here Are Some Helpful Tips To Unpack Your Day: Create a routine: Establish a regular time and place for your children to talk about their day. This could be after they get home from school, during dinner or before bedtime. By making it a routine, your children will come to expect it/look forward to it, and it will become a natural part of their day. Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking yes or no questions, ask your children open-ended questions that require more detailed answers. For example, instead of asking "Did you have a good day?", ask "What was the best part of your day?" "Who was kind to you today?" "Was anyone unkind to you today?" Express interest: When your children do share something with you, show that you are interested and engaged. Ask follow-up questions and encourage them to tell you more. Be patient: Sometimes, your children may not want to talk about their day right away. Be patient and give them some space. They may be more willing to open up later on. Avoid judgment: Try not to judge or criticize your children for what they share with you. This will only make them less likely to open up in the future. By using these tips as a guideline, you can create a comfortable and supportive environment that encourages your children to share their experiences with you. Remember, it may take some time and effort, but planting the seeds to keep the line of communication open with young gardeners helps cultivate resilience, empathy and a positive disposition. Hey gardeners, did Unpack Your day with a trusted gardener? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Unpack Your day 'Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! Unpack Your Day: Tips To Get Gardeners To Open Up and Talk About Their Day

Spreading Seeds at the NJMAC Conference: Last week the gardeners rose before dawn to set up a table at the NJMAC Conference in Edison, NJ in efforts to spread some seeds to Montessori educators. Being surrounded by such passionate educators was truly inspiring and made the event even more wonderful. Gardener Anna and Gardener Aidan are both graduates of the Montessori education, so it was an incredible experience for them to see how connected the community is. The energy in the room was glowing from start to finish, and it was inspiring to see so many people sharing their knowledge and expertise with one another. We reconnected with and met so many amazing people, and we hope to maintain these valuable connections for years to come. One of the highlights of the Convention was the keynote address by a renowned Montessori expert, Elizabeth Slade. Her talk was both informative and thought-provoking, and it really challenged us to think deeply about the role of education in our society and setting up strong systems and structures for success. “Empowering children to be positive agents in this world, starts with empowering ourselves.”~ Saloni Mathur, NJMAC President The Montessori community is truly special, and we were honored to be a part of it. We learned so much from the experience, and we were grateful to be able to share our own experiences and insights with others as well. The Montessori Convention was an unforgettable experience for the gardeners as everything we do is rooted in family, community and connection. We look forward to attending and participating in many more events like this in the future. To learn more about booking an assembly, student workshop or professional development training for your team please email us at flowers@youareagardener.com or click here for more information! Spreading Seeds at the NJMAC Conference

A Delectable Brussels Sprouts Baked Feta Recipe Perfect for Thanksgiving: Hello gardeners! Join us today in preparing an incredibly delicious Baked Feta Brussels Sprouts recipe that's simple to make and oh-so-tasty. With minimal ingredients, this dish is perfect as a side for your Thanksgiving meal, and it's fun for gardeners of all ages to help prepare. Scroll down to get this super tasty recipe and scroll all the way down to collect your 'Gardening Tool' Badge for this activity! Cooking can be a fun and educational activity for gardeners of all ages which is why it is one of Gardner Anna's 'go-to' Gardening Tools. By getting kids involved in the kitchen, children can learn a variety of skills that can benefit their social and emotional development. Cooking & Baking Are Wonderful Gardening Tools To Help A Gardener's Social & Emotional Development: Builds confidence: When kids help out in the kitchen, they gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. This can help boost their self-esteem and confidence. Enhances creativity: Cooking is a creative activity that allows gardeners of all ages to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. This can help develop their creativity and imagination. Teaches life skills: Cooking involves a variety of skills, such as measuring, following directions, and problem-solving. These are important life skills that can help kids in other areas of their lives. Fosters teamwork: Cooking with others requires cooperation and communication, which can help kids develop teamwork skills. Encourages healthy eating habits: When kids are involved in the cooking process, they are more likely to try new foods and develop a taste for healthy options...like Brussel Sprouts! Delectable Baked Feta Brussel Sprouts Recipe 2-3 Cups Halved Bussel Sprouts 1 Package of Crumbled Feta 1 Tbsp melted Butter Mixed Into 1 Tbsp Olive Oil Salt & Pepper To Taste Chili Flakes (Optional) Balsamic Glaze (Optional) Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. With a baking brush coat the bottom of an oven safe baking dish with the butter/oil mixture. Layer the dish with the crumbled feta. Place the Brussels sprouts on top face down and push firmly into the cheese. Brush the rest of the butter/oil mixture on top of the sprouts. Season with salt & pepper, chili flakes. Bake for about 25 minutes until sprouts and cheese look crispy. Let rest for 5-10 minutes. Drizzle with blasamic glaze and dig in! *This recipe was inspired by @spinachandbacon via Instagram. Brussel sprouts are a type of cruciferous vegetable that are often overlooked and underrated. However, these little green veggies are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. Here are some fun gardenery facts about Brussel sprouts that you may not know: Brussel sprouts are part of the same family as cabbage, kale, and broccoli. They were first cultivated in Belgium in the 16th century, which is where their name comes from. Brussel sprouts contain high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber. They also contain compounds called glucosinolates, which have anti-cancer properties. Brussel sprouts can be roasted, sautéed, boiled, or even eaten raw in salads. They are often paired with bacon, which complements their slightly bitter flavor. The largest producer of Brussel sprouts in the world is the United Kingdom. In 2019, a farmer in the UK grew the world's largest Brussel sprout, which weighed in at 8.3 ounces. Brussel sprouts are a popular side dish during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the United States. Hey gardeners...are you looking for some more kid-approved, family friendly recipes? Click Here & dig into some more... Hey gardeners, did you make our Baked Feta Brussel Sprouts? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Baked Feta Brussel Sprouts' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! Delectable Baked Feta Brussel Sprouts

Today on the #PullYourWeeds Blog we are turning our table cards into greeting cards and making thumbprint turkeys to mail to our family and friends! Scroll Down For Step By Step Instructions On How To Make These Adorable Thumbprint Turkey Table Cards Kids love contributing to the holidays and teaching them how to make table cards/greeting cards is a wonderful way to get them involved. These handmade fingerprint cards are kid-friendly, easy to make and are so cute you can even frame them! Here's What You Need: 🦃 Cardstock, paint, googly eyes, construction paper, a gel pen or marker Cut a piece of cardstock or construction paper into your desired size and fold it half. Put yellow, red, orange and brown paint into separate bowls. Take your middle or pointer finger, dip in yellow paint and make 7-8 prints. Next do the same in orange paint and overlap the yellow a little bit. Repeat with the red paint but you will only need to do 4-5 prints. Dip your thumb in brown paint to the center and down of the feathers. Let dry completely. (This part takes patience as they may have to sit for several hours) Once dry, glue on 2 googly eyes and a tiny triangle beak cut from construction paper. With a gel pen or marker draw the turkeys legs. Get creative with anything else you would like to add! Use them as table cards or write a note on them and mail them to family & friends! Note: We let ours dry overnight as the paint was pretty thick in some spots. Just like no one has the same fingerprints, each of these turkeys comes out truly unique. This Thanksgiving craft for kids is a wonderful way to add color to you table settings and is also a bright and cheerful handmade greeting card to receive in the mail. We would love to see your handmade thumbprint turkey cards! Tag us in your your photos with @youareagardenr and #pullyourweeds or send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com and will post them for you! Press Play to watch the 2018 Thanksgiving Episode of Hello Gardeners® Happy Thanksgiving to all our gardener friends and family...Gobble, gobble! 🦃 Hey gardeners, did you make our Thumbprint Turkey Cards? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Thumbprint Turkey 'Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet!

Hello gardeners! Cultivating gratitude and appreciation within young children is extremely important for their social and emotional development. Scroll down and discover helpful tips to raise grateful gardeners and cultivate gratitude in kids. Learn how to encourage empathy, practice gratitude, volunteer together, and more. 1. Encourage empathy: Help your children develop empathy by encouraging them to put themselves in other people's shoes. This will help them appreciate the struggles and challenges that others may face. 2. Model/practice gratitude: Children learn by example, so make sure to model gratitude in your own life. Express thankfulness for the things you have and show appreciation towards others. Set aside a designated time everyday to talk about the things you are grateful for (dinnertime, bedtime, downtime). 3. Volunteer together: Volunteering as a family is a great way to teach children the importance of giving back. It also helps them appreciate the things they have in their own life. 4. Encourage children to say "thank you": Teach your children to say "thank you" when someone does something nice for them or helps them with something. This will help them recognize the kindness of others. 5. Teach gardeners to be mindful: Encourage your children to be mindful of the present moment and to appreciate the beauty around them. This can help them develop a sense of gratitude towards life. Arts & Crafts are a wonderful way to help with mindfulness. 6. Celebrate accomplishments: Celebrate your children's accomplishments and successes, no matter how big or small. This will help them appreciate the effort they put in and the sense of achievement that comes with it. 7. Model gratitude and appreciation in your own life. Children learn by example, so demonstrating gratitude in your own life and expressing appreciation for the people and things around you can help set a positive tone. Grow a gratitude garden at home...click here! 8. Foster a sense of community. Helping children see themselves as part of a larger community can help them develop gratitude for the people and resources that support them. By cultivating gratitude and appreciation in young children, we can help them develop the social and emotional skills they need to navigate the world with empathy, kindness, and resilience. Hey gardeners, Count Your Flowers is one of our favorite ways to practice gratitude. Check it out here! Helpful Tips To Raise Grateful Gardeners: Cultivating Gratitude

Book Our "#PullYourWeeds®" SEL Assembly for Your Elementary School Today! Are you searching for an engaging and interactive educational assembly that promotes social emotional learning, kindness, respect, and inclusivity? Look no further! Our "#PullYourWeeds®" SEL assembly provides a great opportunity to raise awareness about emotional health and coping strategies for elementary students and teachers, while planting seeds of emotional resilience. Dig into raising a new generation of emotionally empowered kids! We recommend multiple assemblies throughout the school year to dig into the program & help it take root! Our 45 Minute SEL Assembly Entails: You Are a Gardener® Book Reading (Intro Assembly) Intro to Gardening Vocabulary & Mindset (or recap) Student Interaction/ Participation Helpful Gardening Tools (Coping Strategies) Videos & Peer Gardening Stories #PullYourWeeds® SEL Program Highlights: Empathy Emotional Resilience Kindness Inclusivity Responsible Decision Making Growth Mindset Relationship Skills Self-Compassion Goal Setting Respect Teamwork Mindfulness Self-Confidence Conflict/Resolution Skills We are now booking assemblies in the tri-state area for the 2023/2024 school year. Get your school on our schedule and request a quote today-send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com Our #PullYourWeeds® SEL Assembly For Elementary Schools Is Educational, Entertaining & Empowering!

Today we are turning autumn leaves into cute little foxes! This fun, fall, fox diy craft is great to do with kids of all ages at home or in the classroom. All you need to do is gather some leaves, grab a black sharpie marker, pour a little white paint in a pot and you are good to go! You can also turn this project into diy fall greeting cards...scroll down to see how! Arts & crafts projects at home and in school are extremely beneficial for a child's social and emotional development. We love this autumnal craft for kids because it allows gardeners to explore their creativity, it provides them with an opportunity to see things from a different perspective and encourages self-expression. Plus, picking out the perfect leaves is like a fun treasure hunt! For an added bonus you can also turn this fox craft into handmade fall greeting cards! All you have to do is fold card stock in half and glue the leaf to the front. You can also press the leaves or cards in between 2 sheets of wax paper and iron them to preserve the look! We love crafts...especially ones that have to do with foxes! To check out some of our other favorite fox DIY projects click on the links below: Click Here to make our signature origami foxes! Click Here to learn how to make paper roll foxes! Learn how to draw our very own Foxie by clicking here! Click Here for DIY fox plates! Hey gardeners, did you make our Fun, Fall, Fox, Craft? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Fun, Fall, Fox, Craft 'Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! Did you make this #foxleaf project? Send us your pictures to flowers@youareagardener.com or tag us in your pictures @youaregardener! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development. Fun, Fall, Fox Craft: Fall into creativity with this fun fox craft! Turn autumn leaves into adorable foxes, perfect for kids of all ages. Plus, learn how to make DIY fall greeting cards!

Fall is a season that brings a lot of natural beauty with it, and what better way to celebrate it than by creating a fun and easy craft that bring the outdoors in. Today's craft is is inspired by the hedgehog characters in our children's book , You Are a Gardener. Gardener Kelsey's brand new video shows us how to make these easy and adorable Leafy Hedgehog with very minimal materials. Scroll down to watch the step-by-step video and scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this craft! PRESS PLAY TO WATCH GARDENER KELSEY MAKE THIS LEAFY HEDGEHOG FALL CRAFT Fun Gardener Fact: In today’s culture hedgehogs are seen as positive animals that symbolize happiness, motherhood, and calmness. They are loved by people because of their relaxed and non-aggressive behavior. Overall, hedgehogs are simply calm and relaxed creatures that symbolize everything that is positive in the world. We felt hedgehogs would be the perfect choice for this particular page of the book. Our illustrator @kdel76 did such an amazing job at capturing an open and intimate moment. Here are some additional ideas and tips to help you make the most of your fall hedgehog craft: Gather a variety of leaves in different colors and sizes. This will give your hedgehogs a more realistic and interesting look. Use a clear drying glue to attach the leaves to your hedgehog shape or double sided tape. Experiment with different arrangements of leaves to create different textures and patterns on your hedgehogs. (You can also add acorns or other natural materials to give them even more character.) If you're hanging your hedgehogs on a window, use clear string or fishing line to give the illusion that they're floating in mid-air. You can also make a larger version of the hedgehog and use it as a centerpiece for your fall-themed table setting or Thanksgiving. If you're feeling adventurous, try making other animal shapes using leaves and natural materials. Some ideas include birds, butterflies, and squirrels. Remember, the key to a successful fall Leafy Hedgehog Craft is to have fun and let your creativity run wild. Happy crafting gardeners! Hey gardeners, did you make our Leafy Hedgehog Craft? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Leafy Hedgehog Craft 'Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.